Means for attaching electric lamp sockets to tubular lamp bases



y 6, 1952 c. BRAMMING Y 2,596,006

MEANS FOR ATTACHING ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKETS TO TUBULAR LAMP BASES FiledOct. 9, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1952 c. BRAMMING 2,596,006

MEANS FOR ATTACHING ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKETS TO TUBULAR LAMP BASES 3SheetsSheet 2 Filed Oct. 9. 1948 Wammwzz'fgg,

May 6, 1952 c. BRAMMING MEANS FOR ATTACHING ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKETS TOTUBULAR LAMP BASES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 9. 1948 Patented May 6,1952 MEANS FOR ATTACHING. ELECTRIC LAMP SOCKETS TO TUBULAR LAMP BASESCarlBramming, Anderson, Ind., assignor to Aladdin Industries,Incorporated, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Applicationoctober 9, 1948, Serial No. 53,645

7 Claims.

This invention is directed to electric lamps such as decorative tablelamps andt'he like' having a lamp base and a lamp socket carriedthereby.

Heretofore, such lamps have included a lamp base in the form of a vase,a bottle or a: similar object, usually one which was constricted at theneck thereof. A lamp socket was supported above the neck of the lampbase and the electric wires were brought up to the socket through thebottom and the neck of the lamp base. This was done, according tostandard practice, by providing a threaded metal tube which passedthrough the neck of the lamp base. The socketwassupported upon the metaltube by means of a reduction fitting carried by the lower end of thelamp socket and the electric wires were conducted to the lamp socketthrough the inside of the tube. Usually the metal tube was supported-inthe neck of the lamp base by means of two nuts, disposed on the tube,one underneath and the other above a horizontal diaphragm-likeconstriction in the neck of the .lampsbase, so that they could pressfrom both. sides against that constriction and rigidly hold the tube-inplace. In some instances the reduction fitting of the lamp socketfulfilled the purpose of the upper nut. However, it was always.necessary in accordance with standard practice to provide at least atube, means for supporting the tube in the lamp base, and a reductionfitting for the lamp socket secured to the tube in order. to support thelamp socket on the lamp base. Consequently, the lamp socket with thereduction fitting has become the standard type of lamp socket used inthe quantity productionof table lamps.

Owing tothis standard type of lamp: socket and the manner of mounting itthe production of table lamps under present conditions requires a numberof special parts and operations which make the production costly.Moreover, since the lamp sockets were not originally designed for usewith table lamps, but for the old type suspension lamps, they actuallydetractfromthe artistic appearance of table lamps toanextent that themanufacturers normally mount the shades so low that the lamp socketscannot be seen except by a person seated below the eye level of the lampshade. This, of course. reduces the amount of light radiation. Thenecessity of passing the wires through the tube and the reduced fittingfrequently results also in excessive fraying and. short circuiting... ofthe Wires.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an. improvedelectric lamp socket and also an. improved lamp base for use therewithwhereby the aforementioned difficulties encountered with conventionallamp sockets and lamp bases are eliminated, wherein the usualconnectingpipe of the lamp basemay be omitted, wherein .therusualreduction fitting of the lamp socket may be omitted, wherein theelectric wires for the lamp socket may be freely accommodated andfraying and ishortecircuiting thereof reduced to aminimum, whereinthelamp socket and base may be. inexpensively manufactured, assembledandswired and. wherein the appearance of the electricclamp is greatlyenhanced.

Incarrying out this object of the invention the electric lamp socketincludes an electrical assembly. provided with connections for electricwires for receiving and lighting. an electric light bulb,

Ran: insulating disc for the electrical assembly and a substantiallycylindrical outer shell for receiving the electrical assembly. The lampbase is preferably, hollow. for freely accommodating the electric wiresand is provided with a large neck having av large opening through whichthe electric wires may freely extend and with an annular abutment to beengaged by the insulating disc of the lamp socket. A securing device ofsubstantially the same diameter as. the. outer shell ofathe lamp socketconnects the outer shell ofaithe lamp socket to. the large neck of. thelamp base with the insulating disc of the lamp socket engaging:theannular abutment of the lamp base. Azfurther object .of thisinvention isto provide thelamp socket with improved means forcarryapparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to theaccompanying specification, claims and drawings in which:

Figure. 1. is"v a side elevational view partly in section of one formofthe electric lamp of this invention;

Figure '2. is annenlarged vertical sectional view taken substantiallyalong the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the lamp socket secured tothe large :neck of the lamp base;

.FigurezB- is: a view similar to Fig. 2, but showingatherlamp, socketremoved from the lamp base; Figure 4 is asectional view takensubstantially icalong the lined-4 of Figure 2 illustrating one ,withinthe hollow lamp base.

manner of securing the shade supporting harp to the lamp socket;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along theline 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along theline 6--6 of Fig. 3;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating anotherlform oflamp socket provided Figure 10 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrating still another manner of securing the lamp socket to the lampbase;

Figure 11 is a side elevational View or" the outer shell of the lampsocket utilized in Fig. 10; and

Figure 12 is a sectional view illustrating the supporting ring utilizedin Fig. 10 for securing the lamp socket to the lamp base.

Referring first to the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to6, the lamp socket is generally designated at Ill and the hollow lampbase is generally designated at H.

The lamp socket It] includes a substantially cylindrical outer shell |3formed of sheet metal and provided with an insulating liner |4 formed ofsuitable insulating material. Within the lamp socket there is providedan electrical as-.

sembly including receptacle I5 adapted to receive an electric lightbulb, a spacer disc I6 and a switching mechanism all suitably securedtogether. The switching mechanism may be conventional in form andprovided with electrical connections H! for electric wires l9 and 'pushbuttons 2|] for operating the switch. The

outer shell l3 and liner M are provided with slots 2| for the pushbuttons 20. The bottom of the lamp socket is provided with an insulatingdisc 23 upon which the electrical assembly and outer shell of .the lampsocket are adapted to rest. The outer shell I3 is provided at its lowerend 7 with an external flange 24 adapted to abut against theinsulatingdisc 23.

The lamp base generally designated at H includes a hollow base 26 of anydesired configuration. The lamp. base may be made of any suitablematerial such as ceramic, china, pottery,

glass, etc. and may be light transmitting. If desired, the lamp base maybe provided with a sub-base 21 having suitable legs 28. The particularconstruction of the lamp base, of course, depends upon the ornamentalcharacteristics desired therein.

The upper portion of the lamp base is provided witha large neck 29 whichin turn is provided with a'large opening 30. The electric wires I9 areadapted to extend freely through the large opening 30 and be freelyaccommodated The electric wires may. be provided with a suitable plugadapted to be received in a wall receptacle. The large neck of the lampbase is preferably provided with a screw threaded ring 3| provided withan inturned flange forming an abutment 32. This ring may be placed uponthe lamp base after the same has been fabricated or may be securedthereto during the fabrication of the lamp base. If desired, however,the ring 3| may be omitted whereupon the upper portion of the lamp base4 would operate as the annular abutment. The ring 3| provides for freeand ready assembly and disassembly of the lamp base and is preferablyutilized.

A screw threaded ring 35 having an internal flange 36 overlies theexternal flange 24 of the outer shell I3 and the diameter of the flangesare preferably such that the flange 36 may be passed over the flange 24.As illustrated in Fig. 3 the screw threaded ring 35 is inserted over thelower end of the outer shell I3 and then a split ring 3'! is applied tothe flange 24. The split ring being of larger diameter than the flange24 prevents the internal flange 36 from passing thereby and in this waythe screw threaded ring 35 is releasably secured to the lamp socket II].To enhance the appearance of the screw threaded ring 35 and tofacilitate manipulation thereof it is preferably provided with a knurledcollar 38 rigidly secured thereto.

To secure the lamp socket to the lamp base all that is necessary is toscrew the screw threaded ring 35 of the lamp socket I!) to the screwthreaded ring 3| of the lamp base whereupon the outer shell I3 and theinsulating disc 23 and the socket, parts carried thereby are clamped tothe annular abutment 32 of the large neck of the hollow lamp base. Thelamp socket may be readily removed from the lamp base merely byunscrewing the screw threaded ring 35 of the lamp socket.

There is thus provided an electric lamp wherein the lamp socket may bereadily secured to the lamp basewithout the necessity of threading theelectric wires through restricted openings and at the same time theappearance of the electric lamp is enhanced by the novel securingdevice.

The upper portion of the outer shell l3 may be provided withdiametrically opposed pockets which may be formed by forcing the outershell outwardly at diametrically opposed points to provide recesses 4|!between the outer shell I3 and the liner I4. These pockets or recessesare adapted to receive the ends of a shade supporting .harp4l asillustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. The shade supporting harp may bepermanently secured in the pockets or recesses by rivets 42 asillustrated in Fig; 4 or releasably secured as illustrated in Fig. 8. Inthis latter connection the pockets or recesses 40 and harp 4| may beprovided with detent means in the form of openings 43 in the pockets orrecesses40 and projections 44 on the harp 4|.

The form of theinvention illustrated in Fig. '7

is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 and like referencecharacters have been utilized for like parts. Fig. 7 differs from Figs.1 to 6 in that it illustrates a different type of switching mechanism inthe lamp socket and a different securing device, and is provided with alamp fixture suspended from the lamp socket in the lamp base.

In Fig. 7 the outer shell |3 is provided with an annular shoulder and adepending skirtprovided with internal screw threads 41 for screwing thelamp socket onto the lamp base. The switching mechanism within the lampsocket may be operated by a rotary knob 50 secured to a shaft 48 oftheswitching. mechanism. The slot 2| accommodates the shaft 48 so thatthe electrical assembly may be inserted into the outer shell before theTheinsulating disc 23 carries a bracket 5| by means of a rivet 52 whichin turn carriesat its lower end an electric light bulb fixture '53provided with a small bulb 5 4. The light bulb fixture '53: may besuitably connected by electric wires 55 to the electric assembly l -1 ofthe lamp socket. The large opening 30 in the large neck of the hollowlamp base is sufliciently large to accommodate freely the light bulbfixtures as Well as the electric wires. This form of the inventionutilizing the light bulb fixture is preferably used in conjunction witha hollow lamp base formed of light transmitting material so that whenthe switch is operated to one position the light bulb fixture suspendedin the lamp base may be lighted for night light purposes or ornamentalpurposes and when moved to another position the light bulb carried bythe receptacle l-5 may be lighted for lighting purposes.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 9 is similar to that ofFigs. 2 and 7 and like reference characters have been utilized for likeparts. Fig. 9, however, illustrates another manner of securing the lampsocket to the lamp base. In this connection the large neck of the lampbase is provided with an internal screw threaded ring 6! having aninternal flange 62 forming an annular abutment for the insulating disc23. The lower end of the outer shell 13 of the lamp socket is providedwith external screw threads 63 which are adapted to screw threadedlyengage the screw threads 6| of the lamp base to clamp the insulatingdisc 23 to the annular shoulder 62. Thus, in the form of the inventionillustrated in Fig. 9 substantially the same results are obtained as inthe previous forms of the invention, namely, the ready assembly anddisassembly of the lamp socket and lamp base.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 10 and 12 likereference characters have also been utilized for like parts. This formof the invention differs from the forms previously considered in theparticular manner of securing the lamp socket to the lamp base. In thisconnection the lower end of the outer shell l3 of the lamp socket isprovided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged detent openings65 and the large neck of the lamp base is provided with a ring 66 havingan internal flange 61 forming an abutment for the insulating disc 23.The ring 66 may be provided with external projections 68 for securingthe same in the lamp base, and also, with internal detent projections 69for engaging in the detent openings 65 of the outer shell. Thus, theouter shell may be releasably secured by the detents 65, 69 to the largeneck of the hollow base with the insulating disc 23 engaging the annularabutment 61 and with the lamp socket securely clamped in place.Substantially the same results are obtained by this form of theinvention as in the forms previously considered.

While the various lamp sockets have been shown with switches for turningon and off the lamp, the switches may be eliminated or may be includedin the lamp base instead of in the lamp socket.

While for purposes of illustration several forms of this invention havebeen disclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilledin the art upon reference to this disclosure, and therefore, thisinvention is to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electric lamp comprising in combination a molded lamp base havinga large neck provided with an annular abutment, an electrical assemblyadapted to receive and feed current toan electric light bulb, asubstantially cylindrical outer shell for receiving the electricalassembly. a retaining disc for the electrical assembly and securingmeans on the outer shell adapted to secure the outer shell to the largeneck of the lamp base with the retaining disc engaging the annularabutmen-tof the lamp base and thereby holding the electrical assembly inposition within the shell-.-

2. An electric lamp comprising incombination a moldedlamp base having alarge neck provided with an annularabutment and adjacent screw threads,an electrical assembly adapted to receive and feed current to anelectric light bulb, a substantially cylindrical outer shell forreceiving the electrical assembly, and a retaining disc for theelectrical assembly, the outer shell being provided with threads adaptedto engage the screw threads of the lamp base for securing the outershell to the large neck of the lamp base with the retaining discengaging the annular abutment of the lampfbase and thereby holding theelectrical assembly in position within the shell.

3. An electric lamp comprising in combination a molded lamp base havinga large neck provided with an annular abutment 'andadjacent externalscrew threads, an electrical assembly adapted to receive and feedcurrent to an electric light bulb, a substantially cylindrical outershell for receiving the electrical assembly and provided with anexternal flange, a retaining disc for the electrical assembly, a ringhaving an internal flange overlying the external flange of the outershell and provided with internal screw threads adapted to engage theexternal screw threads of the lamp base for securing the outer shell tothe large neck of the lamp base with the retaining disc engaging theannular abutment of the lamp base for positioning the electricalassembly within the shell, and a split ring located between the externalflange of the outer shell and the internal flange of the ring forconnecting the ring to the outer shell.

4. An electric lamp comprisin in combination a lamp base having a largeneck provided with an annular abutment, an electrical assembly adaptedto receive and feed current to an electric light bulb, a substantiallycylindrical outer shell for receiving the electrical assembly andprovided at its lower end with a plurality of circumferentially arrangeddetent openings, a retaining disc for the electrical assembly, and aring adapted to be carried by the large neck of the lamp base andprovided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged detent fingersto flt in the detent openings of the outer shell for securing the outershell to the large neck of the lamp base with the retaining disc restingon the annular abutment of the lamp base for supporting the electricalassembly within the shell.

5. An electric lamp comprising a lamp socket adapted to receive anelectric light bulb and provided internally with an electrical assemblyprovided with connections for electric wires and having a retaining discfor the electrical assembly and an open-ended, substantially cylindricalouter shell, said electrical assembly being adapted to slide into saidshell from one end thereof, a hollow lamp base for freely accommodatingthe electric wires for the lamp socket and having a large neck providedwith an annular abutment to be engaged by the retaining disc, and asecuring device of substantially the same diameter as the shellcooperating with th shell and the large neck for securing the lampsocket to the lamp base while holding the retaining disc in engagementwith the annular abutment of the lamp base to maintain the electricalassembly in normal positionrelative to the shell. 7

6. An electric lamp comprising an electrical assembly adapted to receiveand supply current to an electric light bulb, an outer shell adapted toreceive the electrical assembly, a retaining disc larger in diameterthan the electrical assembly, an electric light bulb fixture suspendedfrom the disc, a hollow lamp base of light transmitting material forfreely accommodating within it the light bulb fixtureand having a largeneck provided with an annular abutment to be engaged by the disc, and asecuringdevice adapted to secure the shell to the neck of the lamp basewith the light bulb fixture suspended in the lamp base and the retainingdisc resting on the annular abutment, holding the electrical assembly inproper position relative to the outer shell.

7. An-electric lamp construction including in combination asubstantially straight, cylindrical shell for receiving and supportingan electrical assembly including a support for a light bulb, a basehaving an upper neck portion provided with an annular abutment, aretaining disc between said shell andsaid abutment, and means engagingsaid neck securing said shell firmly on the upper portion of said neckwith said disc adja- 'cent the lower end of said electrical assembly,

said. securing means and said disc being readily REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name Date 1,235,632 Andersen Aug. 7, 19171,309,857 Jones July 15, 1919 1,404,731 Benjamin Jan. 31, 1922 1,573,805Cary Feb. 23, 1926 1,605,778 Riley Nov. 2, 1926 1,703,698 Whelan Feb.26, 1929 2,076,782 Jedlicka Apr. 13, 1937 2,243,775 Roberts May 27, 19412,331,893 Dewey Oct. 19, 1943 2,352,248 Bramming June 27,1944

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 409,022 Germany Jan. 29, 1925525,482 England Aug. 29, 1940

